One sided rivalry...

Crystal Palace 0 v 1 Charlton Athletic
Championship - Selhurst Park. Att: 18,556
Saturday, 1st September 2007

In the early 1990s the rivalry between Palace and Charlton become intense, or at least it did from Charlton's point of view. It centred on Charlton sharing Selhurst Park having vacated their home, The Valley. I would detest it if Palace had to share another ground and lost their spiritual home but, ultimately, it helped to keep them in business and that should be the basis of gratitude rather than hatred.

This all means that Charlton's fans attend this game like it is the most important of all. And it is not just the fans for at the end of this game more than one Charlton player threw their shirts into the crowd like they had won the cup or promotion. For Palace, it was another promising performance that did not live up to the promise.

The goal, when it came, was disappointing. A high ball was not dealt with by the otherwise comfortable centre backs and a delicate lob lifted the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net. It could not be said to be 'against the run of play' but the game did not really deserve a winner. Palace played with some promise but need more of a killer instinct. Besian Idrazoj came on having signed. on loan, on Friday. Also arriving new is Scotland international Paul Dichov on loan until January. These signings should strengthen sqaud for the next few months.